ROLLING MEADOWS -- Rolling Meadows, ranked 21st in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, has played 15 matches thus far this season and eight in the Mid-Suburban League. The battle with league foe Elk Grove on Tuesday night was the most important of them all.

In a highly entertaining match, that had a little bit of everything at Robert Hoese Field, the host Mustangs (12-2-1, 7-0-1) scored two goals on either side of the half to defeat Elk Grove 4-1. The victory put them two points clear of Hersey, which was stunned 1-0 at Wheeling.

"Having Elk Grove here tonight -- obviously a very talented team -- it was important that we be at our best," said Mustangs manager Brett Olson. “Fortunately for us we have one of the best keepers in the state to help save us when we needed it.

"Marceli (Okonski) was great for us tonight. We also received so many great efforts from a bunch of guys, which was the key to our victory."

The Mustangs, who host Prospect at 5 p.m. Friday, now top the table with 22 points, while the Huskies (6-1-2) remained at 20.

"The difference tonight was plain and simple: they outworked us; and they finished their chances," said Elk Grove manager Dan Klaus, whose club fell to 8-5-0 overall with a four-match losing streak in the league after starting 4-0-0.

"We had our chances, especially in the first half,” Klaus continued. “It was not a good night with our finishing, and we had our troubles in the midfield. In the end, Rolling Meadows deserved the result."

Early chances from the Grenadiers fantastic freshmen Arthur Mikina and Olivier Bielecki were turned away by Okonski. Klaus pointed to the senior’s save on Bielecki as his best on the night.

"An incredible strike,” said Klaus. “But so was the save."

The home side found the opener just after the half hour when Ever Flores redirected an Alex Kociubinski corner into the inside netting.

"That's the third goal Ever has scored on that very same play that Alex initiates," said a proud Olson.

One minute later the Mustangs doubled their advantage. After some super-quick and marvelous ball movement from Kociubinski and Kalvin Lagunas, Uli Rico finished with a sublime close-range attempt.

"The first 15-20 minutes was back and forth, wide-open soccer, with both sides creating. Elk Grove had the more dangerous chances during that time," began Okonski.

"(But) our midfield played great. We knew how good they were in the middle, so we forced them outside. It allowed us to defend them really well and open things up for us."

Disaster struck for the visitors at 53 minutes when Rolling Meadows connected on another dead-ball opportunity.

Aldair Avellaneda rose above a crowded box to thump his header high into the upper right corner.

"We have our guys we count on to do a lot of our scoring, but we've had several players of late coming through to make huge contributions in our attack," began Olson

“Flores, Rico and Avellaneda all came up big. Zach Rogers at the six, his work was just amazing tonight."

When it appeared the game was out of reach for Elk Grove, the visitors pulled one back when Mikina claimed his eighth of the season on a spot-kick in the 57th minute.

Moments later Nicolas Rueda-Sierra nearly ran on to a lovely free kick whipped toward the back post from Bielecki.

Okonski saved a well-hit effort from Kacper Jablonski moments before Kociubinski made it 4-1 with his team leading ninth goal of the season.

A superb run to the endline, followed by a laser cross to the back post allowed Kociubinski to steer his effort into the back of the net.

Okonski turned a Bielecki spot-kick around his post when he went full extension to his right. He needed to repeat his save when the assistant referee ruled the senior was 2 1/2 yards off his line. Okonski stopped the next one too.

"Tough to see both of those PKs saved," said Klaus.

"We have some very talented attacking-type players, but we have to finish the chances that we create. It's that simple.”

Rolling Meadows would like to keep its view from the top.

"We've got to be ready for each game from here on out," said Olson.

"A win on Friday sets up our game with Hersey on Tuesday (Oct. 8)."